Holder for a beverage container

ABSTRACT

In a holder for insertion of a beverage container, such as, for example, a can or a bottle, in order to compensate for the diameter, three pivotable flaps form compensating elements, of which one compensating element is mounted on the holder so as to be pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis and the other two compensating elements project from the one compensating element in both peripheral directions and are mounted on the one compensating element to be pivotable about vertical pivot axes. All three compensating elements are urged by spring-loading into a container receptacle of the holder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The invention described and claimed hereinbelow is also described in German Patent Application DE 10 2007 061 042.6 filed on Dec. 18, 2007. This German Patent Application, whose subject matter is incorporated here by reference, provides the basis for a claim of priority of invention under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a holder for a beverage container.

Such holders, which are frequently referred to as “cup holders”, are usually installed in motor vehicles and serve for holding a beverage container, such as, for example, a beverage can, a beaker, a cup or a bottle, secure against tipping over

Such a holder is known from German Offenlegungsschrift DE 197 29 689 A1. The known holder has a bowl-shaped container receptacle open at the top for insertion of a beverage container. Whenever terms such as “top” or “vertical” indicating a spatial direction are used hereinbelow, they refer to the intended installation and in-use position of the holder. For matching to beverage containers of different diameters the known holder has holding jaws which are spring-loaded into the container receptacle. The holding jaws are pivotally mounted on levers which are in turn pivotally mounted on a peripheral wall of the container receptacle.

The pivot axes of the pivot bearing of the holding jaws on the levers are parallel to the pivot axes of the levers on the peripheral wall of the container receptacle and run tangentially or parallel to the tangential direction of the peripheral wall of the container receptacle. The holding jaws project from the peripheral wall a short way into the container receptacle and are pressed outwards against their spring-loading by insertion of a beverage container. In that way, matching in respect of diameter is effected. Because the holding jaws are pivotally mounted on the levers by means of a pivot axis that is tangential with respect to the container receptacle, that is to say a horizontal pivot axis, the holding jaws adapt to the outer contour of an inserted beverage container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve a diameter compensation of a holder for a beverage container.

The holder according to the invention has two compensating elements. The one compensating element is mounted by means of a pivot bearing so as to be pivotable into and out of the container receptacle of the holder. The other compensating element is pivotally mounted on the one compensating element by means of a pivot bearing; it is likewise pivotable into and out of the container receptacle.

Spring elements urge the compensating elements into the container receptacle. As in the known holder, the compensating elements of the holder according to the invention are pressed outwards by the beverage container against the force of the spring elements on insertion of the beverage container into the container receptacle. The spring elements urge the compensating elements inwards towards the beverage container inserted into the container receptacle, so that they are in contact with the beverage container and hold the beverage container secure against tipping over in the container receptacle. The pivot axes of the two compensating elements are not parallel, but run at an angle to one another. Preferably, the pivot axes of the two compensating elements run at a right angle or at approximately a right angle to one another.

By means of the invention it is possible for the contact of the compensating elements with a beverage container inserted into the container receptacle to be enlarged in the peripheral direction. As a result, the hold of the beverage container in the container receptacle is improved, so that a pair of compensating elements at one location on the periphery of the container receptacle is sufficient for holding an inserted beverage container secure against tipping over. The provision of more pairs of compensating elements is not excluded by the invention. A pair of compensating elements is to be understood as being two compensating elements, one of which is pivotally mounted on the container receptacle and the other of which is pivotally mounted on the one compensating element.

Preferably, the holder has three compensating elements, one of which is mounted on the holder so as to be pivotable into and out of the container receptacle, as explained. The two other compensating elements project in opposite peripheral directions from the one compensating element on which, as likewise explained above, they are mounted so as to be pivotable into and out of the container receptacle. The compensating elements are urged into the container receptacle by spring elements. That construction in accordance with the invention enlarges in the peripheral direction the contact of the compensating elements with a beverage container inserted into the container receptacle and thereby increases the hold of the inserted beverage container secure against tipping over.

In particular, the invention provides that the pivot axis of the pivot bearing of the one compensating element runs tangentially with respect to the container receptacle, which is also to be understood as meaning a pivot axis parallel to a tangent. In a preferred construction in accordance with the invention, the pivot bearing is located in a lower region of the one compensating element. As a result, the upper region of the compensating element, on pivoting, moves inwards or outwards relative to the container receptacle. This has the result that the compensating element is in its up per region in contact with a beverage container inserted into the container receptacle, that is to say it provides lateral support for the beverage container at the top of the container receptacle. The hold of an inserted beverage container secure against tipping over is thus improved.

A preferred construction in accordance with the invention provides a vertical pivot axis of the other compensating element(s) which is(are) pivotally mounted on the one compensating element. An approximately vertical orientation of the pivot axis is sufficient which, in addition, changes its direction or inclination by pivoting of the one compensating element. By virtue of the vertical pivot axis, matching of the compensating element in respect of direction is achieved; the compensating element is in contact tangentially with the inserted beverage container, irrespective of the diameter thereof. The pivot axes of the one compensating element and of another compensating element can, however, also both lie approximately in a horizontal plane.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder according to the invention, seen obliquely from above; and

FIG. 2 shows the holder from FIG. 1, seen from the outside obliquely from below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The holder 1 according to the invention shown in the drawing is intended for installation in, for example, a motor car (not shown). It is used for holding a beverage container, such as, for example, a beverage can, a beaker or a bottle (likewise not shown), secure against tipping over. Such holders 1 are also known as “cup holders”.

The holder 1 has a bowl-shaped container receptacle 2 open at the top, the term “top” referring to the intended installation position of the holder 1. A peripheral wall 3 of the container receptacle 2 has a rectangular opening 4 having rounded corners, which opening extends in the peripheral direction. In the opening 4 there are arranged three compensating elements 5, 6 which are in the form of plate-like flaps and are pivotally mounted. A middle element of the three compensating elements 5 extends substantially vertically, that is to say in a direction parallel to the axis of the bowl-shaped container receptacle 2.

That compensating element 5, which, seen radially, has the shape of a narrow, upright rectangular plate, ends a short distance above the base 7 of the container receptacle 2 and extends as far as the upper edge of the container receptacle 2, where the compensating element 5 is bent outwards at an angle. At its lower end the middle compensating element 5 has a pivot bearing 8 (FIG. 2). The pivot bearing 8 has a shaft 9 which is integral with the compensating element 5 and is arranged at its lower edge. The shaft 9 runs horizontally, that is to say tangentially with respect to the peripheral wall 3 of the container receptacle 2. The two ends of the shaft 9 are mounted in bearing blocks 10 which are located on the outer side of the peripheral wall 3 of the container receptacle 2. The pivot bearing 8 defines a horizontal pivot axis tangential with respect to the peripheral wall 3 of the container receptacle 2, about which pivot axis the middle compensating element 5 is mounted so as to be pivotable into and out of the container receptacle 2.

A helical leg spring mounted on the shaft 9 forms a spring element 11 which urges the compensating element 5 into the container receptacle 2. By virtue of the pivot bearing 8 on the lower edge of the compensating element 5, the latter is in its upper region in contact with a beverage container (not shown) inserted into the container receptacle 2. That means that the compensating element 5 is in contact with an inserted beverage container a relatively long way above, that is to say a large distance away from, the base 7 of the container receptacle 2, thus serving to hold the inserted beverage container secure against tipping over.

The two other, lateral compensating elements 6, which are likewise in the form of plate-like flaps, are pivotally mounted on the two vertical longitudinal edges of the middle compensating element 5. The two lateral compensating elements 6 extend from both sides of the middle compensating element 5 in the peripheral direction of the container receptacle 2. The pivot bearings 12 of the two lateral compensating elements 6 have shafts 13 at their edges facing the vertical longitudinal edges of the middle compensating element 5. The shafts 13 are integral with the lateral compensating elements 6. They are mounted in bearing blocks 14 on the outer side of the middle compensating element 5. The pivot bearings 12 of the two lateral compensating elements 6 have pivot axes running approximately vertically, that is to say approximately axially parallel to the container receptacle 2.

The pivot axes of the two lateral compensating elements 6 accordingly run at a right angle to the pivot axis of the middle compensating element 5. By means of the pivot bearings 12, the lateral compensating elements 6 are mounted so as to be pivotable into and out of the container receptacle 2. The two lateral compensating elements 6 also have helical leg springs forming spring elements 15 which urge the lateral compensating elements 6 into the container receptacle 2. The two lateral compensating elements 6, by virtue of their spring-loading, are in contact with the periphery of a beverage container (not shown) inserted into the container receptacle 2. As a result of the two lateral compensating elements 6, which extend from both sides of the middle compensating element 5 in both peripheral directions of the container receptacle 2, the in total three compensating elements 5, 6 surround an inserted beverage container over a comparatively large portion of the periphery.

Because not only is the middle compensating element 5 pivoted by spring-loading into the container receptacle 2, but additionally the two lateral compensating elements 6, which project in both peripheral directions, are pivoted by spring-loading into the container receptacle 2, it is also possible to adapt to the radius of curvature of the peripheral wall of the inserted beverage container. The hold of an inserted beverage container is thus improved and the arrangement of the three compensating elements 5, 6 at one location on the periphery is sufficient. No further compensating elements at other locations on the periphery are required.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a holder for a beverage container, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention. 

1. A holder for a beverage container, comprising a container receptacle for a beverage container; two compensating elements; a pivot bearing which mounts one of said two compensating elements so as to be pivotable into and out of said container receptacle; a spring element urging said one compensating element into said container receptacle; a further pivot bearing mounting the other of said compensating elements on said one compensating element so as to be pivotable into and out of said container receptacle; and a further spring element urging said other compensating element into said container receptacle, wherein said two pivot bearings are arranged so that pivot axes of said two pivot bearings run at an angle to one another.
 2. A holder for a beverage container as defined in claim 1, wherein the holder has three said compensating elements, of which two of said compensating elements project from said one compensating element in opposite peripheral directions and are pivotally mounted on said one compensating element by said further pivot bearing and are urged into said container receptacle by said spring element.
 3. A holder for a beverage container as defined in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis of said first mentioned pivot bearing of said one compensating element runs tangentially with respect to said container receptacle.
 4. A holder for a beverage container as defined in claim 3, wherein said first mentioned pivot bearing is arranged in a lower region of said one compensating element.
 5. A holder for a beverage container as defined in claim 1, wherein the pivot axis of said further pivot bearing of said other compensating element runs in a vertical direction of said container receptacle. 